Iowa Organic Conference Dec. 4-5 Marks Ninth Year
(Posted on 11/21/2009)
Iowa's organic conference will feature Jerry DeWitt as keynote speaker. DeWitt's work at ISU helped establish the nation's first organic research program at a land grant university.

PQAPlus® and TQA Training Sessions Set in Pocahontas County
(Posted on 11/21/2009)
The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension are teaming up to provide training for pork producers and others who need certification in the Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQAPlus®) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) programs. One session of each program has been set for Dec. 10 in Pocahontas County.

Healthy Holiday Meal To Please the Family and the Budget
(Posted on 11/19/2009)
It is possible to serve a Thanksgiving dinner for eight that tastes great and costs just under $30.

2010 Pocahontas County Fair Beef Weigh-In
(Posted on 11/18/2009)
All 4-H and FFA beef to be exhibited at the 2010 Pocahontas County Fair must be weighed at this time.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Protecting Trees, Crown Gall and Houseplants
(Posted on 11/18/2009)
This week's answers discuss what to do to protect trees from nearby construction activity, the impact of crown gall on rose bushes and how houseplants can improve the air quality in your home.

2009 - 2010 Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Private Pesticide Applicator re-certification training dates and locations are being set for this winter and next spring. These trainings will satisfy the 2009 renewal cycle.

Class On Wreath Making Offered At Pocahontas County Conservation Office
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Come learn to make a holiday wreath with Pocahontas County Conservation!

Conference Will Focus on Agriculture-based Bioeconomy Solutions
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
James E Lovelock, called by some the paramedic to the planet, will offer the benefits of biochar as the first solution to greenhouse gases during his keynote address at the start of the conference.

In Times of Stress, Manage Conflict, Don’t Blame — and Call Iowa Concern
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
The coordinator of Iowa State University Extension’s Iowa Concern Hotline offers tips to keep conflict positive when dealing with stress and economic hard times.

Iowa 4-H Web Site Gets New Look
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
Iowa 4-H has a new look online, and tech-savvy teens say it’s “better than Facebook.” The site includes an interactive map to help kids and teens connect with 4-H, project links, games, event calendars and an interactive networking site for members.

Forgot to Thaw the Turkey? Cook It Anyway
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
From a food safety standpoint it’s safer to cook the turkey when it’s still frozen, an ISU Extension food safety specialist says.

Help Children (and Parents) Have a Happy Holiday
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
During holidays, many families invite guests to their homes or take trips to visit friends and relatives. If parents keep their young children’s needs in mind, holidays will be more enjoyable for everyone, says Cheryl Clark, an Iowa State University Extension family life program specialist.

Preparing Evergreens for Winter
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
Protection efforts this fall will help your evergreen plantings make it safely through the winter.

Pioneer Hi-Bred Pledges $150,000 to Support Iowa 4-H Youth Programs
(Posted on 11/12/2009)
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, announced a $150,000 matching gift pledge to the Iowa 4-H Foundation to support youth programs. The contribution launches the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s President’s Campaign fundraising effort.

Why You Should Worry about Your Walnuts
(Posted on 11/9/2009)
Thousand cankers disease is a malady looming on the western horizon that has already claimed many Eastern Black Walnut trees transplanted to the western states.

Late Harvest and Crop Insurance Coverage
(Posted on 11/9/2009)
With harvest moving very slowly producers may need to request additional time to complete harvest from their crop insurance company.

SowBridge Educational Series Continues to Offer Distance Learning Flexibility and Convenience
(Posted on 11/5/2009)
Registration for the successful SowBridge distance education program is now open.

Healthy Homemade Calendar Puts Nutrition and Fitness on Same Page
(Posted on 11/4/2009)
A 2010 calendar now available from ISU Extension promotes healthy homemade meals and physical activity. Low cost, easy recipes and activities fill the pages.

Bankruptcy an Option for Iowans with Unmanageable Debt
(Posted on 11/3/2009)
Whether they’re on the farm or along Main Street, Iowans are contemplating their options as farm and household income drops, debt increases and economic uncertainty continues. One of those options is bankruptcy, says attorney John R. Baker, who answers legal questions for Iowa State University Extension’s Iowa Concern Hotline.

New Publication Examines On-Farm Energy Use
(Posted on 11/3/2009)
"Farm Energy: How Much Energy Is Being Used on Your Farm?” (PM 2089A), is available to download from the ISU Extension Online Store. The publication offers initial steps that help farmers analyze their farm energy use.

Online Learning for Early Childhood Professionals
(Posted on 11/3/2009)
Have you heard about our Webinars?

Give the Gift of Grain to Benefit Iowa 4-H
(Posted on 11/2/2009)
Crop producers who want to support Iowa 4-H Youth Development have another option besides writing a check or donating cash. They can give the gift of grain.

November Garden Chores
(Posted on 11/2/2009)
Now is the time to prepare your roses and strawberries to withstand the trials of winter.You also can do cleanup in your vegetable garden to prevent disease carryover, and protect your trees and shrubs from rabbit damage.

2009 Hay Price Update
(Posted on 11/2/2009)
These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Much of the price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets. Auctions were chosen to reflect prices across Iowa. Other nearby auctions may exist. No endorsement of the listed auctions is intended.

ISU Extension Offers Resources for Farmers Under Stress
(Posted on 11/2/2009)
Local ISU Extension offices can provide a gateway to a wide variety of resources available to help farm families deal with challenging times.

2010 ISU Garden Calendar Now Available
(Posted on 10/30/2009)
This full-color 12-month calendar focuses on earth-friendly gardening. Each month lists specific tips plus the back pages offer details on four green garden topics: compost, rain collection, beekeeping, and houseplant choices. Gardening resources, such as web sites and publications, also are listed.

Yellowjacket Wasps Look for Sweet Things to Eat in the Fall
(Posted on 10/26/2009)
Winter weather will put an end to invasions from yellowjacket wasps, but they can be annoying at this time of year.

Feeding Forages to Livestock Is Focus of November Conference
(Posted on 10/21/2009)
Forage producers will hear about alternative uses, as well as issues related to storing and feeding forages at the Nov. 23-24 conference in Des Moines featuring speakers from ISU Extension and the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.

Conference Highlights New Technology’s Role in Beef Seedstock Production
(Posted on 10/21/2009)
Bull breeders can learn how to apply new technology to long-standing practices by attending the Dec. 10 Iowa Beef Center conference.

New Publications Help Iowans Prepare for Winter With Low-Cost, Simple Changes
(Posted on 10/16/2009)
New Iowa Energy Center publications available from ISU Extension help Iowans become more cost and energy efficient in their homes through simple tips and changes.

Iowa State Swine Nutrition Program Welcomes New Graduate Students
(Posted on 10/16/2009)
With five new graduate students and a lab manager, Iowa State University’s (ISU) applied swine nutrition program is focused squarely on the future.

Families with Teens Can Learn to Deal with Stress, Manage Conflict and Live Together
(Posted on 10/16/2009)
Economic worries combined with ever-changing parent-teen relationships can lead to stressed-out families. ISU Extension has several publications available online to help families with teens deal with stress and change and learn to live together.

Integrated Crop Management Conference set for Dec. 2-3
(Posted on 10/16/2009)
Early registration is recommended for this popular program that includes 34 workshops and a wide range of presentations by ISU faculty and staff and invited speakers from around the Midwest.

ISU Extension Offers 2009 Ag Chemical Dealer Updates
(Posted on 10/16/2009)
Program will provide information and recommendations on new products available for crop production. Each meeting is approved for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits and for recertification for Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10.

Livestock Producers Facing Explosion Hazards with Manure Pumping
(Posted on 10/14/2009)
Flash fires and explosions have been reported from methane and hydrogen sulfide buildup in liquid manure pits that are part of confinement feeding buildings.

ISU Extension offers High Tunnels Workshops
(Posted on 10/7/2009)
Can you envision enjoying fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables for six months rather than three?

Chizek Says ISU Extension is in the Relationship Business in Region 6
(Posted on 10/1/2009)
Jerry Chizek makes his way around his new Iowa State University Extension region, he’s quick to reassure folks that “Extension will still be in the relationship business.”

Extension Energy News & Tips
(Posted on 9/23/2009)
ISU Extension in northwest Iowa offers tips and links to help you conserve energy. Also included is ISU's Live Green Tip.

Barn Quilts of Pocahontas County
(Posted on 9/14/2009)
The Barn Quilts of Pocahontas County committee are proud to share their progress throughout Pocahontas County. Enjoy your driving tour!

Pocahontas County 4-H Wants You
(Posted on 9/3/2009)
If you or someone you know is interested in joining 4-H this is a great place to start for information about the Pocahontas County 4-H Program. Check out the links we have created for enrollment, re-enrollment and club support.